• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.361-377
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• 2019

The stiffness of shape memory alloy (SMA) spring while in actuation is represented by an empirical model that is derived from the logistic differential equation. This model correlates the stiffness to the alloy temperature and the functionality of SMA spring as active variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is analyzed based on factors that are the input conditions (activation current, duty cycle and excitation frequency) and operating conditions (pre-stress and mechanical connection). The model parameters are estimated by adopting the nonlinear least square method, henceforth, the model is validated experimentally. The average correlation factor of 0.95 between the model response and experimental results validates the proposed model. In furtherance, the justification is augmented from the comparison with existing stiffness models (logistic curve model and polynomial model). The important distinction from several observations regarding the comparison of the model prediction with the experimental states that it is more superior, flexible and adaptable than the existing. The nature of stiffness variation in the SMA spring is assessed also from the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), which as well proves the proposal. This model advances the ability to use SMA integrated mechanism for enhanced variable stiffness actuation. The investigation proves that the stiffness of SMA spring may be altered under controlled conditions.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.683-697
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• 2019

The reinforced concrete (RC) structures usually suffer large residual displacements under strong motions. The large residual displacements may substantially reduce the anti-seismic capacity of structures during the aftershock and increase the difficulty and cost of structural repair after an earthquake. To reduce the adverse residual displacement, several self-centering energy dissipation braces (SCEBs) have been proposed to be installed to the RC structures. To investigate the seismic responses of the RC structures with SCEBs under the earthquake excitation, an extended Bouc-Wen model with degradation and self-centering effects is developed in this study. The extended model realized by MATLAB/Simulink program is able to capture the hysteretic characteristics of the RC structures with SCEBs, such as the energy dissipation and the degradation, especially the self-centering effect. The predicted hysteretic behavior of the RC structures with SCEBs based on the extended model, which used the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) for parameter identification, is compared with the experimental results. Comparison results show that the predicted hysteretic curves can be in good agreement with the experimental results. The nonlinear dynamic analyses using the extended model are then carried out to explore the seismic performance of the RC structures with SCEBs. The analysis results demonstrate that the SCEB can effectively reduce the residual displacements of the RC structures, but slightly increase the acceleration.

• Coupled systems mechanics
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.539-562
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• 2020

In this paper the linear elastic coupling between a 2 degree of freedom shear-type frame system and a rigid block is analytically and experimentally investigated. As demonstrated by some of the authors in previous papers, it is possible to choose a coupling system able to guarantee advantages, whatever the mechanical characteristics of the frame. The main purpose of the investigation is to validate the analytical model. The nonlinear equations of motion of the coupled system are obtained by a Lagrangian approach and successively numerically integrated under harmonic and seismic excitation. The results, in terms of gain graphs, maps and spectra, represent the ratio between the maximum displacements or drifts of the coupled and uncoupled systems as a function of the system's parameters. Numerical investigations show the effectiveness of the nonlinear coupling for a large set of parameters. Thus experimental tests are carried out to verify the analytical results. An electro-dynamic long-stroke shaker sinusoidally and seismically forces a shear-type 2 d.o.f frame coupled with a rigid aluminium block. The experimental investigations confirm the effectiveness of the coupling as predicted by the analytical model.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2021

This study aimed to develop a method for the determination of the damaged story in reinforced concrete (RC) structure with ambient vibrations, based on modified jerk energy methodology. The damage was taken as a localized reduction in the stiffness of the structural member. For loading, random white noise excitation was used, and dynamic responses from the finite element model (FEM) of 4 story RC shear frame were extracted at nodal points. The data thus obtained from the structure was used in the damage detection and localization algorithm. In the structure, two damage configurations have been introduced. In the first configuration, damage to the structure was artificially caused by a local reduction in the modulus of elasticity. In the second configuration, the damage was caused, using the Elcentro1940 and Kashmir2005 earthquakes in real-time history. The damage was successfully detected if the frequency drop was greater than 5% and the mode shape correlation remained less than 0.8. The results of the damage were also compared to the performance criteria developed in the Seismostruct software. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm has effectively detected the existence of the damage and can locate the damaged story for multiple damage scenarios in the RC structure.

• Journal of Ceramic Processing Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.80-83
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• 2019

The Mn4+-activated Li2ZnSn2O6 (LZSO:Mn4+) red phosphors were synthesized by the solid-state reaction at temperatures of 1100-1400 ℃ in air. The synthesized LZSO:Mn4+ phosphors were confirmed to have a single hexagonal LZSO phase without the presence of any secondary phase formed by the Mn4+ addition. With near UV and blue excitation, the LZSO:Mn4+ phosphors exhibited a double band deep-red emission peaked at ~658 nm and ~673 nm due to the 2E → 4A2 transition of Mn4+ ion. PL emission intensity showed a strong dependence on the Mn4+ doping concentration and the 0.3 mol% Mn4+-doped LZSO phosphor produced the strongest PL emission intensity. Photoluminescence emission intensity was also found to be dependent on the calcination temperature and the optimal calcination temperature for the LZSO:Mn4+ phosphors was determined to be 1200 ℃. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field-effect scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis revealed that the 0.3 mol% Mn4+-doped LZSO phosphor particles have an irregularly round shape and an average particle size of ~1.46 ㎛.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

This article discusses the issue of optimizing controller design issues, in which the artificial intelligence (AI) evolutionary bat (EB) optimization algorithm is combined with the fuzzy controller in the practical application of the building. The controller of the system design includes different sub-parts such as system initial condition parameters, EB optimal algorithm, fuzzy controller, stability analysis and sensor actuator. The advantage of the design is that for continuous systems with polytypic uncertainties, the integrated H2/H∞ robust output strategy with modified criterion is derived by asymptotically adjusting design parameters. Numerical verification of the time domain and the frequency domain shows that the novel system design provides precise prediction and control of the structural displacement response, which is necessary for the active control structure in the fuzzy model. Due to genetic algorithm (GA), we use a hierarchical conditions of the Hurwitz matrix test technique and the limits of average performance, Hierarchical Fitness Function Structure (HFFS). The dynamic fuzzy controller proposed in this paper is used to find the optimal control force required for active nonlinear control of building structures. This method has achieved successful results in closed system design from the example.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.80 no.6
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• pp.727-736
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• 2021

In this work, mathematical modeling of the passive vibration controls of a three-layered sandwich beam under hard excitation is developed. Kelvin-Voigt Viscoelastic model is considered in the core. The formulation is based on the higher-order zig-zag theories where the normal and shear deformations are taken into account only in the viscoelastic core. The dynamic behaviour of the beam is represented by a complex highly nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The method of multiple scales is adopted to solve the analytical frequency-amplitude relationships in the super-harmonic resonance case. Parametric studies are carried out by using HSDT and first-order deformation theory by considering different geometric and material parameters.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.89-106
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• 2022

The negative stiffness of an active or semi-active damper system has been proven to be very effective in reducing dynamic response. Therefore, energy dissipation devices possessing negative stiffness, such as viscous inertial mass dampers (VIMDs), have drawn much attention recently. The control performance of the VIMD for cable vibration mitigation has already been demonstrated by many researchers. In this paper, a new optimal design procedure for VIMD parameters for taut cable vibration control is presented based on the fixed-points method originally developed for tuned mass damper design. A model consisting of a taut cable and a VIMD installed near a cable end is studied. The frequency response function (FRF) of the cable under a sinusoidal load distributed proportionally to the mode shape is derived. Then, the fixed-points method is applied to the FRF curves. The performance of a VIMD with the optimal parameters is subsequently evaluated through simulations. A taut cable model with a tuned VIMD is established for several cases of external excitation. The performance of VIMDs using the proposed optimal parameters is compared with that in the literature. The results show that cable vibration can be significantly reduced using the proposed optimal VIMD with a relatively small amount of damping. Multiple VIMDs are applied effectively to reduce the cable vibration with multi-modal components.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.84 no.5
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• pp.591-604
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• 2022

A gravity wall combined with an anchoring lattice frame (a combined retaining structure) is adopted at a typical engineering site at Dali-Ruili Railway Line China. Where, the combined retaining structure supports a soil deposit covering on different inclined rock slopes. With an aim to investigate and compare the effects of inclined rock slopes on the response of combined retaining structure under seismic excitation, three groups of shaking table tests are conducted. The rock slopes are shaped as planar surfaces inclined at angles of 20°, 30°, and 40° with the horizontal, respectively. The shaking table tests are supplemented by dynamic numerical simulations. The results regarding the horizontal acceleration response, vertical acceleration response, permanent displacement mode, and axial anchor force are comparatively examined. The acceleration response is more susceptible to outer structural profile of combined retaining structure than to inclined angle of rock slope. The permanent displacement decreases when the inclined angle of the rock slope increases within a range of 20°-40°. A critical inclined angle of rock slope exists within a range of 20°-40°, and induces the largest axial anchor force in the combined retaining structure.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 2022

One common method to select input ground motions to predict dynamic behavior of structures subjected to seismic excitation requires spectral acceleration (S_a) match target mean response spectrum. However, dispersion of ground motions, which explicitly affects the structural response, is rarely discussed in this method. Generally, selecting ground motions matching target mean and variance has been utilized as an appropriate method to predict reliable seismic response. The goal of this paper is to investigate the impact of target spectra variance of ground motions on structural seismic response. Two sets of ground motions with different target variances (zero variance and minimum variance larger than inherent variance of the target spectrum) are selected as input to two different structures. Structural responses at different heights are compared, in terms of peak, mean and dispersion. Results show that increase of target spectra variance tends to increase peak floor acceleration, peak deformation and dispersions of response of interest remarkably. To short-period structures, dispersion increase ratios of seismic response are close to that of S_a of input ground motions at the first period. To long-period structures, dispersions of floor acceleration and floor response spectra increase more significantly at the bottom, while dispersion increase ratios of IDR and deformation are close to that of S_a of input ground motions at the first period. This study could further provide useful information on selecting appropriate ground motion to predict seismic behavior of different types of structures.